Review & Giveaway: The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina is only responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil plot? And at what cost?

My Review

I enjoyed being immersed in medieval Germany with political intrigue and hidden identities. As a young adult novel this is written with a lighter tone, and I smiled at the nods to Beauty and the Beast that popped up throughout the story. Avelina's strength of character and compassionate personality shine as she stands out from the crowd of pampered ladies. I was glad that her isolation was offset by a friendship with one of the young women, which proved to help her cause later on. The beginnings of their attraction for each other is awkward, but then develops into a more natural rapport. There is plenty of action during the climax as they defend Thornbeck against those plotting against him. A great addition to the author's Medieval Fairy Tale Romance series!

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

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Inheriting the new title of margrave means Reinhart has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise? Find out in the new medieval fairy tale, The Beautiful Pretender, by Melanie Dickerson. Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil plot? And at what cost?

Join Melanie in celebrating the release of The Beautiful Pretender by entering to win her Once Upon a Kindle giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The Beautiful Pretender
• A Kindle Fire tablet
• A $25 Amazon gift card
• The choice between a Funko POP Disney Beauty or Beast doll

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on June 7th. The winner will be announced June 8th on Melanie's blog.

Review: An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain— after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?

After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler. Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.

Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father. If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?

My Review

I enjoyed the continuing story of the Schrock family and the Birch Creek community. This book is written so it can be a stand alone, but the first book, A Reluctant Bride, is also excellent so I highly recommend reading it as well. An Unbroken Heart focuses on the aftermath of Joanna's accident- her physical rehabilitation and the emotional struggles she faces. Much of Andrew and Joanna's relationship is internal dialogue since they have a hard time opening up to each other. I didn't find much pleasure in their interactions for much of the book since Joanna is drawing away from him and he doesn't communicate well. I loved the support Joanna's sisters show her during her difficult trials. I felt like the family bond is one of the highlights of the novel. I could relate well to Joanna's coping method of repressing feelings, but the problem with that is all those emotions under pressure eventually release in an explosion. The author did a wonderful job building toward the climax and then showing Joanna turn to God's guidance in restoring peace in her life and her relationship with Andrew. The secondary plot of Andrew's absent father wasn't as intense or involved as the first book in the series, but I still had a great reading experience. I'm looking forward to Abigail's story in A Love Made New, releasing this September.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Check out the other books in the Amish of Birch Creek series...

Book One: A Reluctant Bride
My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Read my review here

Book Three: A Love Made New

Pre-order here
 

Review: A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can t let her down even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn't the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family and herself.

My Review

This is an excellent marriage of convenience story! The circumstances leading to Sadie and Aden's union are tragic, and the author did a wonderful job endearing the characters to us in the beginning so that when the shift occurred, I was completely immersed and connected to the high emotion. The complexities of Sadie and Aden's personalities are understandable after what they have gone through in the past and present, and the way Aden dedicates himself to Sadie's happiness is healing for both of them. I loved the slow progression of their relationship with all its nuances. There is some suspense with the pressure the bishop is putting on Aden and his brother, and the resolution was one I didn't see coming but brought a satisfying conclusion. I'm so glad there are two more books in the series from Sadie's sisters' points of view, and can't wait to read them!

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review & Giveaway: Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max's father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart.

Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he's surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

My Review

I have mixed feelings about this one. The characters are well-developed and the setting well-described, but there was an intense feeling of anxiety that I felt as I read about Julia's conflicts with her ex, Zeke's struggles with his faith, and the precarious state of the resort. The highlights for me were the rekindling romance between Julia and Zeke as well as some humorous moments involving Ladybug, the resident goat with attitude problems. A secondary romance involving Julia's mother felt distracting and I found myself skimming through those sections. There is a strong theme of God's love getting us through hard times, but I was disappointed that with Zeke's issues of the shame of falling short of perfection, the healing power of repentance and forgiveness through Christ's atonement wasn't brought into the narrative.

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and  Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers' Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Giveaway

Click the image below to enter the author's giveaway for five copies of Someone Like You!

Review: London Tides by Carla Laureano

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Irish photojournalist Grace Brennan travels the world’s war zones documenting the helpless and forgotten. After the death of her friend and mentor in the field, Grace is shaken.

She returns to London hoping to rekindle the spark with the only man she ever loved—Scottish businessman Ian MacDonald. But he gave up his championship rowing career and dreams of Olympic gold years ago for Grace ... only for her to choose career over him. Will life’s tides bring them back together ... or tear them apart for good this time?

My Review

Grace returns to London unsure and hesitant about her life's new direction... or lack thereof. Ian is also feeling unsettled in his career, and those feelings reflected on the vibe I felt while reading the story. Even as the story progressed, it seemed a bit aimless, and I was not sure what was driving it. I felt for both Grace and Ian as they tentatively rekindle their relationship and simultaneously seek for meaning and passion in daily life. The descriptions of London and Grace's photography excursions were especially interesting, it made me want to take my camera downtown and shoot away :) PTSD rises to the surface as a theme as Ian begins to recognize the symptoms in Grace and as she struggles against it. A trip to Scotland they shared for the wedding of Ian's brother Jaime is sure to be enjoyed by those who have read the author's previous novel, Five Days in Skye. Even though this book didn't quite strike a chord with me I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's work.

(Thank you to David C. Cook Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review & Giveaway: The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things--fast. But David doesn't work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting. 

When David's mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters--and especially for David's niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem--but will it create another? 

My Review

Once again I was swept away to the slow and steady pace of life in Stoney Ridge. The storylines from the first book in the series, The Imposter, continue as the minister David struggles with what to do about the bishop's unrepentant heart. The bishop's sister Birdy brings him peace and helps him see life in new perspectives. Katrina and Thelma implement a new source of income on their oil-rich land that has the potential to solve the church's financial problems. Jesse learns to stay out of trouble- for the most part- as he works to make his buggy shop a success. I thoroughly enjoyed the new characters who joined the community, David's mother and nieces who both help and make life difficult for members of David's family. His mother has his best interests at heart, but her disapproval turns his store upside down and disrupts his relationship with Birdy. So many times I just wanted him to stand up to her and shut down her meddling! He does his best in his own quiet way though.

Abigail's point of view was especially interesting since she views life so literally. She thrives on order and organization, and her quest to fill the mystery gap in the Glick family tree for Dane bring the two closer together. She doesn't quite know what to make of his happy personality and is surprised by his kindness toward her when she has endured criticism her entire life. Her mannerisms are funny and bring a subtle humor to the narrative. I loved her enthusiasm for genealogy and the idea that seeking out our ancestors helps us understand our roots and ourselves.

David's anxiety over following the Lord's will in resolving the problems of the church is compounded by pressure from his domineering mother. He wants so desperately to do what is right, but feels strongly that he must wait on God's prompting. The way he continually turns to scripture and prayer is inspiring and I loved the passages from the Bible he drew comfort from. The compelling drama from multiple points of view kept me enthralled and I can't wait to read the next book in the series, The Devoted, which will be released this October.

(Thank you to CelebrateLit Publicity and Revell Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grab bag of Amish-made gifts worth over $100! 

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

I love this time of year! My favorite flowers are blooming and we're already starting to harvest from our little garden. It seems like summer is right around the corner and we're looking forward to days at the beach and some fun road trips. Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win Playing for Keeps by Ranee S. Clark! (Check out my review here)

Synopsis

Football-loving TyAnne Daws has long admired BYU's star quarterback from afar. This semester, she's determined to step away from the sidelines and she has the perfect game plan for winning the heart of Anthony Rocket Rogers. When some smart moves land her in one of his classes, she finds herself in the perfect position to make her play. But as she gets to know the real Anthony, away from the lights of the stadium, Ty realizes that this is no game; she's falling in love . . .

Anthony takes full advantage of his all-star status, holding girls at arm's length for one reason: it keeps him from repeating the same mistakes that once led to a devastating heartbreak. When he meets Ty, his assumption that she's just another pretty face is quickly proven wrong. Though he's completely drawn in by this sweet young woman, her intriguing mix of amusing football know-how, and her quiet selflessness, he will not let himself fall in love. But when faced with the reality of losing the woman he's come to care for despite himself, Anthony's resolve is tested. It's getting harder to keep his head in the game when his heart's on the line.
 

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Read-a-thon Wrap-up

In between my review books I've been reading as many Kindle Unlimited books as I can before my free trial expires tomorrow (thanks to my toddler for signing me up when playing with my Kindle). Here's what I got read during the read-a-thon: